Uss George Washington Saves Tug From Sinking

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - SOUTH

October 5, 1999

JACKSONVILLE - A repair team from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington saved a tugboat from sinking Monday in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast. The Coastal Sun of Norfolk, Va., began taking on water Sunday as it was towing a barge to Jacksonville. The crew reported to the Coast Guard that the tug had 7 feet of water in the bilge and was in danger of sinking. The aircraft carrier began steaming toward the tug, which was 25 miles away. Two sailors took a submersible pump to the tug and worked overnight to pump out water. Early Monday, the tug pulled into Jacksonville for repairs.